Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly includes a surgical instrument having an instrument body, an elongate member with a distal end configured to be inserted into an anatomical passageway of a patient, a sensor operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the elongate member, and a first electrical connector electrically coupled with the sensor. The assembly further includes a cable assembly having a cable that communicates with a processor, and a coupling that releasably couples with the instrument body. The coupling includes a coupling body having first and second lateral sides that extend parallel to one another and are configured to extend parallel to a side of the instrument body when the coupling is coupled with the instrument body. The coupling includes a second electrical connector that electrically couples with the first electrical connector to transmit the signal from the sensor proximally through the cable and toward the processor.

Abstract: A method for controlling an ablation power applied to a catheter includes: receiving, by a controller, a detected contact force from a sensor assembly of the catheter, the sensor assembly being configured to detect a contact force applied to the electrode; controlling, by the controller, a power supplied to an electrode of the catheter to have a deactivated power level when the detected contact force is less than a first threshold contact force; controlling, by the controller, the power supplied to the electrode of the catheter to have a first power level when the detected contact force is greater than the first threshold contact force; and controlling, by the controller, the power supplied to the electrode of the catheter to have a deactivated power level when the detected contact force is greater than a cutoff contact force, the cutoff contact force being greater than the first threshold contact force.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and related method includes an instrument body, a guide shaft distally projecting from the instrument body, and a first surgical tool. The guide shaft has a guide sidewall, a guide lumen, and a clearance opening radially extending through the guide sidewall in communication with the guide lumen. The first surgical tool has an elongate body and a distal head configured to deflect relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. The distal head in the first position is positioned within the guide lumen along the central axis. The distal head in the second position is deflected from the central axis and extends at least partially through the clearance opening thereby vacating at least a portion of the guide lumen for introducing a second surgical tool through the guide lumen.

Abstract: An implant delivery system includes a catheter, an implant, and a push body. The catheter extends from a first proximal end to a first distal end. The catheter defines an inner lumen extending through the first distal end. The implant includes a second proximal, a second distal end, and a plurality of resilient barbs. The implant is slidably housed within the inner lumen. The implant is compressed in the inner lumen such that the implant bears against an inner diameter of the inner lumen and the implant is retained within the inner lumen by friction. The push body is slidably housed within the inner lumen of the catheter. The push body is adjacent to the second proximal end of the implant.

Abstract: A guide sheath includes ports at a handle portion through which flexible endoscopic tools may be advanced until they emerge from corresponding ports at a distal tip of the guide sheath. The guide sheath includes a position sensor at its distal tip that is compatible with an image guided surgery (IGS) system, such that a virtual view of the distal tip's position relative to a surgical site may be presented by the IGS system. The virtual view may assist a surgeon in precisely positioning the distal tip at the surgical site, and then one or more flexible endoscopic tools may be advanced the length of the guide sheath for use at the surgical site. The guide sheath may also include an articulating portion at the distal tip that may be deflected in one or more directions in order to provide additional control over placement within the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting a tissue and related methods includes a shaft, a cutting member, and an axial adjustment coupling. The shaft and the cutting member are configured to articulate from a first configuration toward a second configuration and respectively have distal and proximal shaft ends distal and proximal member ends. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft and configured to cyclically move relative to the shaft. The axial adjustment coupling is configured to longitudinally move the proximal member end relative to the proximal shaft end while articulating the shaft and the cutting member from the first configuration toward the second configuration. Thereby, the axial adjustment coupling inhibits movement of the distal member end relative to the distal shaft end for maintaining alignment between a shaft window opening in the shaft and a cutting window opening in the cutting member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of removing a portion of a tissue mass includes a shaft, a cutting member, and an aspiration vent. The shaft has a shaft lumen, a shaft window, and a shaft edge. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen and is configured to cyclically move from a first position to a second position relative to the shaft. The cutting member includes a cutting window opening, a cutting edge, and a suction lumen to cut the tissue portion with the cutting member in the first position. The aspiration vent extends through at least one of the shaft or the cutting member for fluid communication with the suction lumen to suction an airflow for urging the tissue portion away from the cutting edge and along the suction lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate shaft and a position sensor. The elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The elongate shaft includes a distal end, an opening, and a lumen. The position sensor is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis. The first position sensor is fixedly secured relative to the elongate shaft at a known distance from the opening. The first position sensor is configured to generate signals indicating a position of the elongate shaft in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly includes a shaft assembly, an endoscopic camera assembly, and an anatomy elevation assembly. The shaft assembly includes a flexible outer shaft defining a lumen, a first electrical communication line, and a first fluid communication line. The endoscopic camera assembly is in communication with the first electrical communication line. The anatomy elevation assembly includes an inflatable member coupled to the flexible outer shaft. The inflatable member includes an interior surface. The first fluid communication line is in fluid communication with the inflatable member. The inflatable member is configured to transition between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The interior surface is configured to define a viewing path distal to the endoscopic camera assembly while the inflatable member is in the inflated configuration.

Abstract: A guidewire includes a guidewire shaft and an inflatable element arranged at a distal end of the guidewire shaft. At least a portion of the guidewire shaft is formed of metal, and the guidewire shaft includes a lumen that fluidly communicates with an interior of the inflatable element. The inflatable element is operable to transition between a deflated state in which the inflatable element is configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET), and an inflated state in which the inflatable element is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting a tissue includes a shaft, a cutting member, and an alignment system. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a shaft opening. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen to cyclically move from an open state to a closed state. The cutting member includes a sidewall, a cutting window, and a suction lumen. The cutting window opening in the open state aligns with the shaft opening such that the cutting window opening and the shaft opening are in fluid communication. The sidewall in the closed state aligns with the shaft opening such that the sidewall blocks fluid communication to the shaft opening for inhibiting suctioning the tissue therethrough. The alignment system urges movement of the cutting member moving the open state toward the closed state such that the cutting member stops in the closed state.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system includes an endoscope having a body, a shaft having a distal shaft end, an optical conduit, and a moveable optical element. The moveable optical element is configured to provide a field of view defining a line of sight, and is operable to capture an image within the field of view. The system further includes a drive mechanism operable to move the movable optical element to adjust a direction of the line of sight, a navigation sensor operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the distal shaft end within a patient, and a processor. The processor is operable to determine a location of the distal shaft end within the patient based on the signal, and command the drive mechanism to position the movable optical element so the line of sight is directed toward a selected point of interest within the patient.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a sensor. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly. A portion of the end effector is offset from the longitudinal axis. The sensor is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field. The signal is configured to indicate a position of the end effector within three-dimensional space. The sensor is coaxially positioned about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylindraceous sleeve body, a navigation sensor, and an interface feature. The cylindraceous sleeve body includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. The lumen is sized and configured to receive a shaft of a medical instrument. The navigation sensor is positioned at the open distal end of the cylindraceous sleeve body. The interface feature is configured to couple the navigation sensor with an image guidance system. The navigation sensor is configured to cooperate with an image guidance system to provide feedback indicating a position of the navigation sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Variations of integral navigation controls may be used in conjunction with a medical instrument to provide navigation functions for an image guided surgery (IGS) system that is in communication with the integral navigation controls. In some variations, a medical instrument with integrated navigation wheels allows movement of a cursor of the IGS system along the x and y axis by scrolling the wheel, or allows selection, zooming, or other controls by combined clicking and/or scrolling of wheels, and may be sterilized or discarded along with the device. In some other variations, a control overlay may be temporarily attached to the medical instrument to provide additional controls, such as buttons or a pointing stick, and then removed and sterilized or discarded after a procedure. In each variation, inputs may be communicated via wire or wirelessly to an IGS system to provide navigation of images during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A guidewire includes an elongate tube, a connector, a sensor, and a conduit. The elongate tube includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongate tube has a tubular profile with a substantially smooth surface extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The distal portion has an outer diameter sized to fit within a drainage passageway of a paranasal sinus. The elongate tube is formed of a material configured to tolerate sterilization. The connector is configured to communicate with a navigation system. The elongate tube is rotatable relative to the connector. The conduit extends from the connector to the sensor. The conduit is configured to communicate a signal from the sensor to the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a dilation catheter, a first guide catheter, and a guide catheter identification module. The body assembly includes a first electrical interface. The first guide catheter is configured to slidably receive the dilation catheter. The first guide catheter includes a first rigid shaft and a first guide catheter electrical contact. The first rigid shaft has a first rigid bend formed near the first distal end. The first rigid bend defines a first fixed bend angle. The first guide catheter is configured to be removably coupled with the body assembly such that the first guide catheter electrical contact engages the first electrical interface of the body assembly. The guide catheter identification module is operable to identify the first guide catheter based on engagement between the first guide catheter electrical contact and the first electrical interface of the body assembly.

Abstract: An array of sensors may be used to perform touchless registration of landmarks of a patient's face before an ENT procedure in order to associate those landmarks with pre-operative images in three-dimensional space, which is required for image guided surgery features such as navigation. Touchless or light-touch registration may improve accuracy by avoiding the need for substantial pressing against a patient's skin, which may deform and thereby introduce erroneous registration data. A sensor may also be implemented in forms other than an array such as handheld probe having a single sensor as opposed to an array.